A TALENTED young footballer who died in her sleep has been described as a “beautiful daughter” by her heartbroken family.

The parents of Ashley Gooding, 21, who used to play for Colchester Town Ladies and coach for Colchester United Community Sports Trust, have no idea what caused her death.

Her devastated family have paid tribute to her as a beautiful daughter, while her former U’s colleagues described her as a happy girl who made a big impact at the club.

Dimitri Halajko, ladies’ team manager, said: “She was always a pleasure to have around – a happy girl who made a big impact at the club and who has given us some fond memories.

“It’s an awful tragedy to happen to anyone.”

Ashley attended St Teresa’s Primary School in Rochford, and later Greensward Academy in Hockley.

She began playing football for Hawkwell Athletic girls’ under-tens team, before being selected to represent Colchester United School of Excellence for three years.

She went on to play for Colchester Town Ladies for two years.

After leaving school at 16, Ashley started her career with Colchester United Community Sports Trust on a two-year apprenticeship.

Dimitri Halajko, ladies’ team manager for Colchester United, said: “She was always a pleasure to have around – a happy girl who made a big impact at the club and who has given us some fond memories.

“It’s an awful tragedy to happen to anyone and out thoughts are with her friends and family.”

Mrs Gooding added: “Ashley was a keen footballer and coach of sports. She was a very popular and vibrant character, a fun-loving and caring young lady. We miss her so much.

“The children she coached worshipped her.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with e-mails from people she coached saying how much they appreciated her.

“She worked at lots of Rochford schools and with me in my role as an extended schools coordinator at King Edmund School. What she put into her work she definitely got back in enthusiasm from the children.”

Ashley’s mother said she thrived on football, and was a regular at Arsenal FC games with her father.

It was as a football coach that she returned to her former primary school.

Headteacher of St Teresa’s, Nikki Stevens, said Ashley’s death was a huge shock. She added: “Ashley was really lovely. It was very special, having taught her, for her to come back to the school as a sports coach.

“She was really popular with the youngsters. They were willing to come in early on cold mornings for coaching, so you knew they enjoyed it.

Ms Stevens said many of the staff remembered teaching Ashley as a youngster. She said: “We all remember her best in her football strip.”

Ashley died on March 14, and her funeral was held on April 2, at Southend Crematorium. An inquest date is yet to be set, as reports on her cause of death are still being compiled.